Fuse for projectiles.



H.B.STRANGE.' FUSE FOR PROJEGTILLS.

APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 11, 1913. 1,107 .46 l Emma@ Aug. 1g, 191%.

Z SHEETS-SHEET 1.

H. B. STRANGE.

FUSE' OOOOOOOOOOOOO s.

l 107 @61a Patented Aug.18,1914. l s 9 2 SSSSSS s` HHHH 2.

UNITED sTArEs l rAfrN HARRY BLANDISTRANGD, or BLACKHEATH, ENGLAND, AssIeN'on To THos. mman kAND soNs, LIMITED, or sHEFFInLD, ENGLAND.

' fr iifsE iron PRoJEcTILEs.

To all whom it may concern.' I

Be it known that .I, HARRY BLAND STRANGE, subject of the King of England, residing at Blackheath, Kent, in England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in 'Fuses for Projectiles, `of

to insure safety While the projectile is still within the-gun but such devices have proved or tended lto be unreliable and are more complicated than the present arrangement.

According to this invention a movable retaining member such as a bolt is so disposed relatively to the axis of the fuse that it is acted upon by centrifugal force but -is prevented from moving under that force before the projectile leaves the muzzle of the gun owing to the action of the rotary acceleration of the projectile. When, howover, the projectile'leaves' the muzzle of the gun and rotary acceleration ceases, centrifugalI force will cause the retaining member to move and to bring about the release of the pellet. Such release may be direct or may take place through a well Known type of centrifugal bolt interposed betweenthe pellet and the retaining bolt. Thus forces necessarily brought into operation by the motion imparted to the projectile while it is"'still in theA gun are caused to prevent automatically the release of the pellet before the'projectile. has left the muzzle.

In a convenient construction for carrying out the present invention the end of the usual centrifugaly bolt bears on the end of a second retaining'bolt disposed in a passage within which it can zslide in a direction whichforms an angle withv the axis of the maincentrifugal bolt. The direction of the passage with regard to the axis of the fuse and the disposition of the retaining bolt ivitlnn the passage are such j' specication ofLetters Patent. Patented Aug 18,1914, Application led November 11, 1913. Serial N o. 800,356. i

counteracts-the normalftendcncy of centrifugal force to cause the retaining bolt to move outward. llVhen the projectile has left the muzzle of the gun this rotaryv acceleration has ceased and the spin of the projectile remains approximately constant for some distance during the iight of the projectile. Centrifugal force is now free to act on the retaining bolt which consequently slides outward in its passage free ing the main centrifugal vbolt which at once moves outward and releases the pellet.

The portions of the two bolts where they are in contact may be shaped in various ways as found desirable but a convenient construction is to form the end of each bolt conical the conicity of the ends of the two bolts being equal or complementary one to the other so that the two cones Will make smooth contact with each other over a small surface and at an angle such that there will .f

be no tendency for the bolts to adhere to each other, bind, lock or otherwise engage so as to render them incapable of moving and acting as desired when the projectile is discharged. In place of forming' the end ofA each bolt conical one'bolt may have its end rounded while the end of the other bolt is coned.

In the accompanying drawings Figure l is a central longitudinal section through one construction of fuse according to this invention. Fig. 9. is a transverse section on the line 2 2 of Fig..l. Fig. 3 is longitudinal section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

`Fig. 4: is a transverse section on the line 4 1 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but illustrating a modified construction of certain parts of the fuse. also according to this invention, and Fig. (i is a transverse section through another form of fuse also according to this invention in which the retaining bolt acts rdirectly upon `the pellet instead of upon a centrifugal bolt.

Like letters indicate like parts throughout .the drawings.

lVith referencev first to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, i

the fuse body A is provided with a frangible tube B having a weakened portion B1 and formed with an enlarged part or expansion chamber B1. This frangible tube is suplgiorted by/a casing C attached to the upper part of the tube and to the fuse body A and provided with a detonating needle D which extends downward so that its pointed extremity is within the weakened portion B1 of the tube. In aV cavity in the fuse body is a carrier or pellet E provided with a detonator or percussion cap F which when the pellet travels forward through the tube B is brought into contact with the detonating needle D and ex loded. The pellet E is normally kept in its place at the lower endvof the tube by a hook-shaped pin G which 0n the discharge of the gun is forced out of engagement with the pellet into .a cavity A1 -(Figs. 1 and 2) in the fuse body by soft lead or other vsuitable material H caused to extrudefrom the chamber wherein it lies by the pressure of the discharge gases acting upon a plunger H1'. These details are given for the purpose of illustrating the general construction of the fuse and do not in'themselves form a part of the present invention. The pellet E is also retained normally by a centrifugal bolt J (Fig. 4:) contained' in a radial passage J1 formed in the fuse body A and tending to Hy out along that passage and release the pellet owing to the centrifugal force set up by the spin of the projectile. Breaking into the radial passage J1 is another passage K containing another bolt L. The. normal position of this bolt L is shown in Fig.y 4 where it will be seen that its end lies across the passage J1 containing the centrifugal bolt J and prevents that member from with'- drawing from engagement with the pellet E. l The retaining bolt L will be acted upon to some extent by the centrifugal force set up by the spin 0f the projectile which is intended to take place in the direction indicated by the arrow a in Fig. 4, but owing to the direction of the containing passage K in relation to the axis of the fuse the centrifugal l.force acting on the retaining bolt L will be overcome by another force due to the inertia ofthe retaining bolt and the rotary acceleration of the projectile as itpasses through the bore of the gun before it leaves the muzzle. This force tends to lkeep the retaining bolt in the position shown in Fig. 4 whereit locks the centrifugal bolt J. As soon as the projectile leaves the muzzle the rotary acceleration ceases and the retaining bolt L can then move outward along its passage K under the iniuence of centrifugal force leaving the passage J1 clear so that the centrifugal bolt J may also l'move outwardand disengage the pellet E. taining bolt L were left quite free to move in its passage K there would be a possibility Supposing the rethat in the handling of. the fuse it would move outward and set, free the centrifugal bolt J. To obviate this disadvantage/ 'cform of a pin M (Figs. 3 and 4)/ having a shoulder M1 which in the n nal position before the gun is fired ente f the passa e K and prevents the outwar -movement o the retaining bolt L as sh n in Fig. 4. This pin M is arranged to e acted uponby soft lead N which is forced forward by the pressure of the discharge gases acting upon a plunger N1 after the same manner that the lead H forces the pin G toy move as previously described. Both the pin G and the locking pin L are preferably provided with pins or cups G1 (Fig. 2) or M1 (Fig. 3) to keep them normally in the positions shown, these pins or cups being sheared when the pins G and M are moved by the extruded lead. In addition to the other locking and retaining devices the pellet E may be provided withv the usual shearingpin E1 which however may be very weak and only sufficiently strong to retain the pellet at,-L the .base of the tube B untilimpact ,occursfbetween the kprojectile and its objective when the pinl is "at once sheared and the pelletV moves forward.

In the construction shown in Figs. 1,- 2, 3 and 4, the centrifugal bolt J and the` retaining bolt L are shown provided with rounded ends but in some cases it is preferred to shape the two adiacent ends of the bolts which are incontact, as cones. VAn example ond retaining member is provided/1n the of this construction is shown in Fig. 5 where strength of the spring O is such that it can be overcome when the centrifugal force is allowed to act on the retaining bolt L1. The angle of inclination between the axes of the two bolts may vary in accordance with lrel quirements Aand to meet the `conditions which -V l obtain when the projectile is dischargedv these conditions being dependent on the rate of acceleration of the rotation-'imparted-to the projectile and the extent of the centrifugal force which has to be counteracted.

Further the dimensions'and form of the second retaining bolt may vary as found desir'- able in order to-providefor the ce'ntrf of gravity of this bolt being so positioned a's to insure this bolt being acted upon in the desired manner by the acceleration and'centrifugal' forces.

As will be seen the details of construction maybe varied as found desirable and to meet different conditions, the invention being applicable also to fuses provided with different forms of centrifugal bolt and operatin on different systems. Where two centri gal bolts are provided each may be controlled by a separate retaining bolt or these bolts may both be held by a common member which forms part of the retaining bolt or-is itself held by a single retaining bolt. Again a single centrifugal bolt may be locked or held inoperative by more than one retaining bolt. Y

Vhere it is not convenient to arrange the retaining bolt so that it will act on one end ofthe centrifugal bolt the retaining bolt may be arranged to engage or bear upon the centrifugal bolt at somey point in its length. In thiscase a conical or other recess maybe formed in the side of the centrifugal bolt in which will normally lie the conical or other shaped end of the retaining bolt which is only withdrawn when the projectile is fired and has left the muzzle of the gun inthe manner described. Or again the centrifugal bolt may be shouldered and the retaining bolt bear against this shoulder in some suitable manner.

Although it is preferred to employ a centrifugal bolt and a retaining bolt acted upon both by centrifugal force and by the rotary acceleration of the projectile, in some cases only one bolt may be employed. That is to say, the retaining bolt may engage directly with the pellet and be kept in engagement by the force vdue to its inertia and to the rotary acceleration of the projectile. When that acceleration ceases centrifugal force acting upon the bolt causes it to move outward and releasethe pellet. Such a construction is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 6 where a pellet E2 of somewhat larger diameter than the pellets shown in the other iigures is engaged directly by a retaining bolt L2 capable of moving in a passage K1. The action of the bolt L2 is similar to that described with reference to the bolts L and L1 in the constructions previously described but the intermediate centrifugal bolt is dispensed with. A light spring O1 serves to keep the bolt L2 normally in locking engagement with the pellet E2.

-What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a fuse for a projectile the combination with a fuse body, of a member adapted to travel forward therein on impact of the projectile with its objective and a sliding retaining bolt contained in a conduit or passage in the body and normally engaging with the movable member, said conduit or passage being so disposed relatively to the axis of the fuse that the retaining bolt is acted upon by centrifugal force but is prevented from moving under that force before the projectile leaves the muzzle of the gun owing to the action of the rotary acceleration of the' projectile. 2. In a fuse for a projectile the comb-mation of a member adapted to travel forward within the fuse on impact'of the projectile with its obj ectiif'e and "a sliding retaining bolt so disposed relatively to the axis of the fuse and to the member, thatv under the action of centrifugal force 'the bolt tends to move and releasefthe member but is prevented from doing so before the projectile leav-W the muzzle of the gun, owing to the action of the rotary acceleration of the proj ectile.'

3. In a fuse for a projectile the combination of a member adapted to travel forward within the fuse on impact of the projectile with its objective, a bolt normally engaging with the member to retain itin its inoperative position but capable of moving under` the action of centrifugal force to release the member and a retaining bolt so'ydisposed relatively to the centrifugal bolt and to the axis of thev fuse, that the rotary acceleration of the` projectile, as it passes through the bore of the gun, tends to keepl the retaining bolt in such a position that the centrifugal bolt cannot move. f

4. In a fuse for a rojectile the combination with a fuse bo y, of apellet movabletherein, a centrifugal bolt adapted to engage with the pellet land contained in a radial conduit or passage in the fuse body and a retaining bolt also contained ina passage in the fuse body, such vpass-age being so disposed in relation to the axis of the fuse, that the rotary acceleration of the projectile, before it leaves the muzzle of the gun, keeps the retaining bolt in such a position as to prplvent the centrifugal bolt disengaging the e et.

p 5. In a fuse for a projectile the combination of a fuse body, a pellet movable therein, a centrifugal bolt adapted to engage with the pellet, a retaining bolt acted upon by centrifugal force but prevented from moving under that force before the projectile leaves the muzzle of the gun owing to the rotary acceleration of the projectile, a second retaining member or locking bolt and means operated by the pressure of the gases `of discharge for moving the locking bolt.

6. In a fuse for a projectile the combination ofa fuse body, a pellet movable therein, a centrifugal bolt adapted to engage with the pellet, a retaining bolt acted upon by ,centrifugal force but prevented from moving under that force before the projectile leaves the muzzle of the gun, owing to the rotary acceleration' of the projectile7 a second retaining member or locking bolt, a

hook-shaped pin engaging with the pellet and means operated by the pressure of the gases of discharge for moving the locking bolt to release the retaining bolt and for I. .with the pellet.

ondpassage in the fuse body breaking into the radial passage, a retaining bolt movable 'in the said second passage and caused by the action'of the rotary acceleration of the l projectile to prevent the centrifugal bolt rel ,leasing the pellet before the projectile leaves the muzzle of the gun, asecond retaining 'l5 member or locking bolt acting to lock the retaining bolt and contained in another pas sage in the fuse body, a hooleshaped pin ens f gaging with the pellet and means operated by the pressure of the gases of discharge for moving. the locking bolt to release the rem taining bolt and for moving the hooked pin out of engagement with the pellet.

8. Ina fuse for a projectile the combina tion of a fuse body, a frangible tube can ried thereby, aA pellet adapted to travel forward Withinl the tube on impact of the projectile with its objective, a bolt normally engaging with the pellet to retain it in its inoperative position but capable of moving under the action of centrifugal force to re-4 lease the pellet and a retaining bolt so dis-l posed relatively to the centrifugal bolt and tothe axis of the fuse, that the rotary ac f celeration .of the rojectile, as it passes through the bore o the gun, tends to keep the retaining bolt in such a position that thecentrifugal bolt cannot move. i

9. In al fuse for a projectile the combinay tion cfa fuse body, a frangible tube carried thereby, a pellet adapted to travel forward within the tube on impact of the projectile with its objective, a radial passa e in the fuse body, a centrifugal bolt- Inovab in. Said radial assage and adapted to engage with.

the pel et, a second passage in the fuse bodyl breaking into the radial passage, a retaining bolt movable in the said'socond passage and caused by the action of the rotary acceleraf tion of the projectile to prevent the centrifugal bolt releasing the pellet beor-e the projectile leaves the'lmuzzle of the gun, a second retainin member or lookin acting to .lock t e retaining bolteanv contained in another passage in the fuse body,

bolt j with the forward end of the tube, a. casing supporting the tube, a detonating needle in the tube -a pellet adapted to travel forward Within the tube on im act or the projectile with its obective, a de onator o-r percussion cap carrie by the pellet a radial'passage in the fuse body, a centri ugal bolt movable in Said radial passage and 'adapted to en. gage with the pellet, a second passage in the fuse body breaking into the radial passage, a retaining bolt movable in the said second passage and caused by the'action of the rotary acceleration of the projectile to prevent the' centrifugal bolt releasing the pellet be fore the projectile' leaves the' muzzle of the gun, a second retaining memberor lookin bolt acting to lock the retaining bolt and contained in .another passage in the fuse body, a hook-shaped pin engaging with the Jpellet and deformable material lacted upon rb the pressure of the discharge gases tol move the locking bolt and the hook-shaped retaining pin. 1 1. In a fuse for projectiles, the combina- .tion of a member adapted to travel forward iWithin the fuse on impact of the projectile With its objective, a bolt normally enfaging with said member to retain it inits inoperative position but; capable of moving under the action of centrifugal force to release said member and a'retaining member so dlsposed relatively to the centrifugal bolt and to' the axis of the fuse that the rotary acceleration of the projectile as it passes through' the bore of insuch position that the centri ugal bolt cannot move In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this lspecification in the presence of tvvo subscribing Witnesses.

Heiner BLANn erneuern.l

Witnesses:

EUs'rAcn H. BARKER, ARTHUR T. WAGHOM.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve centsl each, by addressing the Commissioner of '.Eatcnt'l, Washington, D. C.

`the `gun tends to keep the retaininfg member 

